Firstly thank you to arb for putting in the hard yards and building and designing some great products
I have a hilux with
Suspension lift
Bigger tyres
Dual battery
Canopy
Draw system
Fridge
Fridge slide
Water tank
Bull bar
Spot lights
And the list goes on as all our lists do
All top brand name products and not much from arb why ?
Every time I want something I do go to arb but the price is never competitive the the only items I have from arb are roof racks and mud flaps as I needed them that day so didn't mind spending extra to get them
I understand r&d cost money but you get to a point where the r&d is paid for. My next investment will be lockers a fuel tank and a winch these are all items that have been around for a long time since 05 when they first made the hilux and yet the cost today is still more expensive then the new players to the market
Last thing I work during the week so I can get money to pay for these items Saturday's are are always busy so Sundays are my only free day to get down to a 4x4 store to buy anything. this goes out to all 4x4 store open on a Sunday close maybe during the week I know I would spend more money if I could buy on a Sunday
I reckon a problem with lots of the cheaper products is that there R+D department seems to be limited to waiting for reputable companies like ARB to do all the R+D work so that they can buy one, pull it apart, copy it and mass produce using inferior materials... I have seen a bullbar on a GUIV that looked virtually identical to my ARB bar. The tubes didn't go through the horizontal section of the bar and get welded lower down, they just stuck through about 20mm and had two tack welds on them where they came through the top plate. This guys bar started rusting within 12 months but he paid a fair bit less than ARB quoted him.
I reckon it is great to see ARB taking an interest. I look forward to seeing answers to queries direct from ARB, it could turn into a great reference resource over time and an opportunity to get answers straight from the horses mouth.
Sam, are you coming up to the Albury Wodonga 4wd show in Feb?
Dave